About Us

Our Mission

The Burch Tree Foundation is dedicated to building brighter futures in underserved communities worldwide by expanding access to education, supporting vulnerable populations, and fostering sustainable, community-led development.

Kellie Burch
Lynda Donaldson
Kevin Donaldson

Lynda Donaldson

Kellie Burch

  • Founder & President

    Helping others has always been a part of who I am. I’ve spent my life looking for ways to give back and make a meaningful difference—but in 2021, everything changed when I was introduced to a student sponsorship program in Uganda.

    What began as a simple commitment quickly became something much deeper. With Lynda’s support, I stepped in to help grow a grassroots effort into what is now The Burch Tree Foundation. As Founder and President, I’m passionate about creating lasting change through education and opportunity.

    What started with just a few students has become something truly powerful—and we’re just getting started. My dream is to continue growing this work and reach even more communities around the world.

  • Founding Partner & Student Sponsorship Lead

    Our family first visited Ruhija, Uganda, in 2016 to see the Mountain Gorillas. While there, we were touched by a group of schoolchildren performing a traditional Gorilla dance for tourists—and we were instantly captivated.

    Since then, we’ve partnered with Boneventure, the school’s director, to support the community through sustainable projects like gardens, chickens, goats, and Irish potatoes—providing both food and income for families. What began with three student sponsorships has grown into support for over 60 students attending secondary and technical schools and it grows every year.

    Together, we’re working to break the cycle of poverty by helping educated youth return and uplift their community.

  • Founding Partner

    I’m a retired real estate and mortgage professional who, alongside my wife Lynda, helped develop sustainable programs for the community of Ruhija in Uganda. As a dedicated Rotarian, I’ve also worked with my local Rotary Club to sponsor several children.

    These days, I continue to support various projects behind the scenes, offering my experience and resources to help create lasting, positive change.

  • Director of Ruhija Community Orphans Needy Nursery and Primary School

    I’m a 38-year-old educator from Ruhija Village, near Bwindi National Park in Kabale, Uganda. I have a deep passion for helping young children grow through education and learn to become self-reliant.

    Since 2012, I’ve served as the Director of Ruhija Community Orphans and Needy School — a place created to give vulnerable children a safe space to learn, feel supported, and build a brighter future.

Twakiire Boneventure

Kevin Donaldson

Give Today - Multiple Ways

Find us by searching giving@burchtreefoundation.com in your Bank’s Zelle application

*We incur no additional fees with Zelle donations

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Find us on Venmo: @theburchtreefoundation

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5% Cover the Fee

A full year (3 terms) for students in years 1-4 is $300 ($100/term) A full year (3 terms) for students in years 5-6 is $435 ($145/term) A full year (2 terms) for students in Technical programs or University is $400 ($200/term) If you want to commit to sponsor a specific student for all of their schooling, please notate so that we can get you further information. If you are donating a custom, one time amount, the funds go to students without direct sponsorship. Thank you for your support!

Check Donations

If you would prefer to send a check, please contact us at giving@burchtreefoundation.com

The Cost of Sponsoring a Teen

Sponsoring a teen in Ruhija costs as little as $300 per year of secondary school (or $100 per term three times a year).

  • A full year (3 terms) for students in years 1-4 is $300 ($100/term)

  • A full year (3 terms) for students in years 5-6 is $435 ($145/term)

  • A full year (2 terms) for students in Technical programs or University is $400 ($200/term)

    • If you want to commit to sponsor a specific student for all of their schooling, please notate so that we can get you further information.

If you are donating a custom, one time amount, the funds go to students without direct sponsorship.

100% of your donation will be used to send a child to school and will cover their expenses for boarding, food, uniforms, textbooks, and stationery supplies.

Most sponsors continue their donations each year to watch their student ultimately graduate!

One-time & Recurring Donations

Custom donations are welcome as well for any dollar amount. You can choose to donate one-time or update the recurrence to monthly, quarterly or annually. We use additional funds to help sponsor students that are not directly sponsored.

Additional Funds

Since 2018 we have funded community gardens to expand students’ diets, given potatoes that they now grow and harvest to sell, provided chickens for them to raise for food and reproduction. With any funds not for sponsorship, we can continue with these additional projects to help the students.